Written by: Nikki Than Win
Edited by: Chen Kexin and Lydia Ong
Photos by: SMC Publicity
With the entry of numerous athletic sports men and women every year into Eusoff Hall, there are always a few outstanding individuals that pique the interest of the highly respected veterans- the seniors. I was fortunate enough to interview two of our very own freshmen superstars.
First up from the boys’ team, we have our floorball sensation Nicolai. In light of his overwhelming amount of raw talent, precision and fast instincts, we have one piece of advice for his opponents- do not underestimate him. Nicolai is a senpai in the sport, boasting more than 5 years of experience. When asked why he has stuck to this sport for all these years, he emphasises that he fell in love with the nature of the sport- a fast-paced, adrenaline-fuelled sport which required split second decision-making. He is a professional at handling long sticks and balls, perhaps in more ways than one. Floorball has forged a strong sense of camaraderie for Nicolai and his teammates, as it heavily relies on teamwork and tacit understanding, although sword-fighting with their sticks seems like a mandatory activity too. Apart from a sense of community, Nicolai gives massive thanks to floorball for his ripped physique and toned arms as well. Despite his cheekiness, Nicolai is a man of grit and ambition. Whatever he sets his sights on... well you'd better hope you're on his side. It’s no wonder his team won the championship title they fought so hard for.
However, Nicolai is a people-person who strongly believes in friendship over victory. Everyone should enjoy this magical sport- each of them are an indispensable part of a passionate whole. Throughout his journey to become a better player, he has made great friends from a plethora of different backgrounds. It is no wonder he is so popular amongst his friends and the various onlookers whenever he picks up his weapon of choice. For all the right reasons, Nicolai has an abundance of gratitude towards the sport of Floorball.
His goals and aspirations are simple: he wants to crush Eusoff’s biggest rival, Temasek, and have an indisputable victory over them. His quote struck a chord within me as well - “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!” We should all aspire to be like Nicolai, the up and coming Eusoff superstar.
Another outstanding floorball freshie is our very own Xin Tian. Some may even describe her as a prodigy of the sport. It would be hard to convince anyone that Xin Tian only picked up the sport when she joined Eusoff. Her pure tenacity and raw talent in maneuvering the ball down the court is no laughing matter. She played hockey during her JC days and figured her skills might be transferable to floorball – she was exactly right. She now leaves her fans’ jaws ajar with her stunning finishes and natural ability. Despite having a heavy workload to deal with, Xin Tian diligently attends all her floorball trainings. She sees these sessions more as periods to unwind rather than chores. It is no wonder her training ethics and mentality inspire her teammates to have a similar mindset. Her inexperience has caused her to doubt her abilities in the past, but she loves the thrill of the sport where unpredictability is ironically predictable. Do not let her charming smile and boisterous attitude fool you. When the time comes to play a match, she undergoes a complete transformation into a fierce competitor with nothing but victory on her mind.
Her trademark “Darlie white smile” is often noticeable in the vicinity of her peers. Known to many, Xin Tian is able to handle a joke or two about her stature, and even has a signature response: “I am not vertically disabled!” Her teammates describe her as an extremely hardworking player who stays behind sometimes to get more shots in or to practice her technical skills. For the upcoming season, her goals are to improve her physical abilities and to enjoy the process of learning the sport. Her competitive nature also drives her to become the best at whatever she picks up, and is what motivates her most to want to be a champion in the upcoming Inter Hall Games.
Keep your eyes on this pair of super stars rising amongst the ranks of the players in Eusoff Floorball. Before you know it, they may very well be your next Inter Hall Games Champions!
Comments